West Bromwich Albion youngster Kyle Howkins is continuing to attract interest from Port Vale having shone on loan with the Valiants last season.

Howkins made 10 appearances, scoring once, as Neil Aspin’s side successfully beat the drop from League Two.

Vale have kept an open dialogue with West Brom over the summer with a view to the defender returning in a short-term deal.

Aspin is keen to keep a space in his squad even though the 22-year-old has recently undergone knee surgery.

“I have said all along from last year that I would take Kyle Howkins if we could,” Aspin said.

(Image: Stoke Sentinel)

“I don’t think that has changed.

“He has had a knee operation and we keep in touch with West Brom because he is a player who did well for us last season.

“Bringing him in would only strengthen the squad.

“I am not pushing for anyone on loan who is in that position, but I think it would be silly not to take him if we could.”

Howkins, a powerful centre-back, joined Albion’s academy in 2012 and signed his first professional contract in January 2017.

He has spent loan spells at Kidderminster Harriers, Mansfield Town, Cambridge United and Port Vale over the past three seasons.

Howkins, who is yet to make his competitive debut for the Baggies, is expected to feature against Barnet in Saturday’s pre-season friendly.

One young player that will not be available is Alex Bradley.

The 19-year-old, who was involved in last week’s fitness camp in Portugal, has been training with Finland Under 19s.

Bradley hopes to be named in Finland’s squad for the European U19 Championship when the announcement is made on Monday.

The tournament is being held in Finland from July 16 to 29. Bradley qualifies by virtue of his Finnish mother.

Farewell Foster

Ben Foster’s West Bromwich Albion career is over.

The Baggies have confirmed they have sold the goalkeeper to Premier League Watford for an undisclosed fee.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed seven years at The Hawthorns after signing from Birmingham City, initially on a season-long loan, in August 2011.

He made his move to Albion permanent in 2012 and amassed 223 appearances for the Baggies in all competitions.

Foster had back-to-back seasons on loan with the Hornets from 2005 to 2007.

In a statement on the club website there was no hint of the context in which the transfer saga has played out.

“The Club wishes Ben well in his future playing career,” it read.

It has been alleged that Foster did not want to go on the club’s pre-season trip to Portugal because he wanted to leave.

The move became inevitable after Albion signed Sam Johnstone from Manchester United.

Loan link

Albion are among the sides interested in taking Liverpool winger Harry Wilson on loan, according to reports.

They are among a dozen Championship clubs who have enquired about signing the 21-year-old on loan, says the Liverpool Echo.

Wilson impressed in a temporary stint at Hull City in the second half of last season - scoring seven goals in 13 games to lift them away from the threat of relegation - and the Tigers are among the interested parties this summer in a list which also includes Aston Villa, Leeds, Derby, Stoke, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Preston, QPR, Reading and Swansea.

Liverpool have already turned down a loan approach from Celtic as they were concerned about the Scottish champions' use of loan signings from Premier League clubs last season.

Instead the Reds will consider loaning Wilson out to the Championship - but there would be financial penalties if he wasn't given sufficient game time.

It is said that Liverpool will hold talks with would-be suitors in the coming weeks to discuss where and how often he would likely be played and potential financial packages.

However Wilson, who made his senior debut for the Anfield club in the FA Cup last year, will be given a chance to make an impact in Liverpool's pre-season friendlies and could stay to fight for a place if he impresses.

Saluting Sam

The new man between the sticks was signed for around £6m this week and is now getting settled at the club.

When he does, his new coach believes the club have a real player on their hands.

Cutler told the club's website: "I took him on loan at Scunthorpe. I know all about his character and the way he plays. He's a confident boy; he's driven to be better, driven to be the best.

"He's a Premier League goalkeeper without a doubt. It's about getting him into the Premier League with us and I want get him into the England team. That's my ambition.

"His qualities? Athletic, quick, powerful...his all-round play is really good. He's also calm, never looks flustered. He's already got experience and has played plenty of Championship games. In my view, he was the best keeper in the Championship last season.

"He's calm in possession if you want to go that way too. I believe he is a great asset to the club."

Striker race

West Brom are ready to battle Aston Villa and Bristol City for the signature of David McGoldrick, according to reports .

McGoldrick, 30, is a Republic of Ireland international who has left Ipswich Town upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

The forward had been at Portman Road for the last five years and has also previously had spells with Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City.

Albion kick-started their summer of spending with the capture of Manchester United goalkeeper Johnstone on Monday, are supposedly keen on McGoldrick, who is available on a free transfer.

Neighbours Villa and Lee Johnson’s Bristol City have also been credited with an interest.

McGoldrick averages roughly one goal every four matches in his playing career.

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All you need to know about West Brom now

Darren Moore claimed that the signing of Johnstone was a “sign of things to come” - while Ben Foster is nearing the exit door and Craig Dawson likely to press harder for a move to Burnley, the Baggies will equally step up their efforts for reinforcements before the curtain raiser with Bolton at the beginning of August.

Interest still circulates in forward pair Jay Rodriguez and Salomon Rondon, while Nacer Chadli’s winner for Belgium in their knock-out stage win over Japan at the World Cup has also led to suggestions that he has suitors in Turkey.